2013 NBA Draft: Clippers organize quickly for draft

"I've been here 12 hours and we're already talking about drafting players, so there's a lot of work to be done," the team's new coach said. "Free agency comes up right behind that, so we're behind the 8-ball."

The Rivers Regime begins in earnest today with the NBA draft that opens barely 24 hours after Rivers was introduced as the 16th Clippers coach in the club's Los Angeles history.

The Clippers get one shot this year in the two-round draft, picking at No. 25.

In a pool that offers some slim pickings in terms of impact talent, there remains enough intrigue in the prospects to pose some tricky questions.

The Clippers can do all the homework they want, but after 24 players are off the board, they will have to evaluate on the fly and see if the best available pick can be applied to what they need to shore up most.

Not in any particular order, that would be backup depth in the middle, perimeter defense and shooting.

And when it comes time to pick, who has the final say or veto? Not only is Rivers the head coach, he's been slotted as senior vice president of basketball operations, one notch above vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks, who did a lot of the footwork to hire Rivers.

"I've always been open to working with the coach on everything and everybody incorporating our entire front office," Sacks said. "That's the key, finding a way to complement each other with our strengths. Not everyone can do everything all the time. My role stays the same, trying to acquire players and put this team in a position to compete.

"At the end of the day that's going to be a group decision. I believe Doc will have the final say, but I think he'll rely on everyone."

By the time the Clippers pick, they may be measuring the likes of defensive centers like Louisville's Gorgui Dieng, North Carolina's Mason Plumlee or Kansas' Jeff Withey against a wing player such as Cal's Allen Crabbe or San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin.

And what if the Clippers, as reported last week, might be prepared to part with backup guard Eric Bledsoe to shore up a need via a trade?

That's always the unpredictable nature of the event that begins at 4 p.m. from Barclay's Center in Brooklyn.

What is always predictable is clubs holding their cards close to the vest.

"We'd like to get more outside shooting, we'd like to get some athleticism and defense on the wings, big men that can come in and help us off the bench or provide skill sets that we don't already have," Sacks said. "Of course, it's always good to have guards who can come in and provide that defense and that shooting."